Gossypol does not affect testicular fluid secretion in rats

Male rats fed with gossypol acetic acid at a dose rate of 20 mg/kg/day for 16 weeks were rendered infertile. Spermatozoa flushed out from the cauda epididymides completely lost their capacity to initiate forward motility. However, the rate of testicular fluid secretion measured by the efferent duct ligation technique was not affected by gossypol treatment. The sodium and potassium concentrations of the secreted fluid were found to be unchanged. It is concluded that at low antifertility doses, gossypol disrupts spermatogenic elements in the testis without affecting fluid secretion by the Sertoli cells.